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7.4 normal 7.5 when it’s hot and humid!

It was more a comment on the fact that the ‘original’ crown had etchings on it telling one how to lock it, and I would think that doing the same would be a nice nod to the past. So it’s not a ‘signed’ crown it’s more of an ‘instruction’ 😁

Farewell 😉

Yeah, that’s what happens when you see to many Hollywood movies and fall into “sky is falling” talking heads. That said, I did enjoy staying home and building a deck😁

Well, haven’t seen/held one in person… but for that price why wouldn’t you get one to enjoy and not worry about it😁 I say go for it!

Pulled the trigger on it, we will see... Wanted a smaller tool watch to replace my Seiko Turtle. Any recommendations on sports watches you could wear to the office?

@@c..7532 nice! Let us know how you like it. As for ‘sports’ watches… there are a few, Seiko has some lookers but I’m a 1016 guy. So anything that resembles the OG Explorer gets a thumbs up from me. I’d first start with timefactors Smiths Everest there are a few to choose from… I have the gen 1, and they have only become better as time goes on. Only issue is the Miyota movement can wobble and be noisy at times. From there for a more modern look the Steinhart Adventure series (basically an Explorer homage but with colors) I wouldn’t get the black dial because it’s to much “on the nose” they also came out with a white dial 1016 in 39mm which looks promising (but I still think the should have gone with black numerals instead of the fax patina. Hope that helps!

Looking forward to the Rdunae. A vintage seiko expert Spencer Klein had great things to say on that one. Appreciate the recommendations, those are two excellent choices. While currently sold out, I might hold out for the Smiths Everest in honeycomb. I love the small size, vintage look and it might work better in the office. The Steinhart 39 explorer from your channel is pulling me too though. The vintage tool watch is what I gravitate towards.

I think they are just protecting themselves… it fit perfectly on my Willard…

Wearing it right now😁

No issues with rubbing and it’s sealed tight.

Well, my bezel has sustained some nice scratches, and it bothered me for a few days but the next scratch made me forget about the previous one and after some time mine is developing a wonderful character 😁I wouldn’t worry to much about losing a spring bar… the supplied Tudor spring bars are pretty hefty. Since I originally bought mine on the rubber strap and I knew it was going to be cold plus I don’t have the adjustable clasp (third party bracelet) I thought it would be wise to put it on the nato. And I was right to do so more for the cold than anything else. That said I think if I had it on the original bracelet with the T clasp I don’t think I would ever need to take it off that bracelet…. But it sure looks the part on the NATO😉

@RobertBlanchard haha it definitely looks fantastic on the Nato! Thanks for the response and very true.. it builds more character for sure!! All the best my friend!

Thanks for subscribing! The Pro is a slow burn... around the year mark I was contemplating on selling it but something just kept me coming back to it... it was then that I figured it out... an old friend is a person that you will not see for months or even years but when you do see them it was as if then just left a day ago... and when I throw the Pro on the wrist I always get that warm feeling. I haven't checked the accuracy yet, but I'll put it on the time grapher and let you know in a bit (thanks for reminding me to check it) have a great new year!

@@RobertBlanchard I'm sure that you won't be disappointed actually: I have 2 Tudors with Kinessi movements and they perform well within Chronometer limits... 🙂

Hat is from Hagarty Porsche Rennsport Rally (at the tail of the dragon in NC) the most beautiful roads I have driven on. If you ever do get the chance go there in October I highly recommend it. Drove up from Miami in my 98 Porsche for a total of 2800 miles round trip... And yes, Im doing it again next year!

I came close to buying it for him but I decided to get him a Saint Martin 1016 for college... I just cant trust giving a kid a 3K watch at a place where it can easily "Get lost" I think I'm going to leave it for when he graduates from college. Vail is a beautiful place, I lived in Colorado for 9 years back in the late 80's early 90's and the mountains were my home on the weekends. but now at 54 I realize I'm not 20 anymore and the altitude takes its toll especially when climbing (I used to be a rock climber and hiker/camper in the summers and skier snowshoer in the winter), But being there for just a week is not long enough to acclimate for this older guy.

Thank you!

Yeah, they are opposite sides of what I want out of a watch. Currently I now have my Willard on the Uncle straps tropic and I’m keeping it like that. It just feels so nostalgic. And the fact that my dad had one in Vietnam just makes me feel right when I wear it. And now the BB is on the bracelet, but every time I look down at it I don’t feel nostalgic… I feel adventurous… as if it wants me to use it as a tool in an adventure. Both are amazing and both now take up equal time on the wrist. I have found two watches that will be forever in my collection.

@@RobertBlanchard if you do not mind could you please tell me about what you are doing with your channel as I enjoyed your content

@@Andy-ys8sj​​⁠well, I can only go so far with watches since I am an owner and not a reviewer. And going over the same watches will become mundane. So going to start talking about watches I am drawn towards without buying, plus the updates on my collection as time goes by. But cars is something I am also passionate about so will be splitting up the channels to include car content as well as future watch content. But work and family and writing my second novel currently take precedence over the RUclips content. That’s why I have been quite as off lately.

@@RobertBlanchard there is only so many hours in a day, good luck with your novel and looking forward to seeing what content, when you're ready you can bring out, all the best Andrew

Good choice as well… I personally like the history behind the Willard but that shape always gets me, I just love it!

You will not be disappointed… a true tool watch through and through!

Hey, thanks for the praise. I took it off the bracelet because I wanted to test the new caseback on rubber strap. Next I’ll be testing it on the bracelet. Well, that and I enjoy wearing the rubber strap when frolicking on the beach. So far the new thinner case back makes this watch such a comfortable wear that I’ll never go back to the original case back.

Well, Ill be honest (as I always try to be) I like it better on the rubber strap now. I have been wearing it on the Z199 now about a week and I am not feeling it like I was earlier. I think it has to come down to the way it wears on the rubber strap... as in that it feels more more like the original willard now with the thin case back. I'm gonna give it another 2 weeks on the bracelet and see how I feel then... but right now, I want to put it back on the rubber.

@@RobertBlanchard Well thanks for your answer. I do prefer it also on the tropic. It just fell like this watch is mean to be on it. I love it. Even without the mod caseback

It think the spirit of this watch is not a bracelet, no matter witch one

As soon as you will put it on tropic I think you will say the same. And I try 2 uncle seiko bracelets on it (Z199 and President). But tropic is the way to me

All pressure testing is done with the movement outside of the case… once it passes you put the movement back inside. So it all has to do with proper technique in closing the case. You need a new O-ring and lubricant. A rubber ball to properly seat the threads and then the proper tool to add enough pressure to properly seal the case. Once done you can take all the showers you want without worry ; p I’ve done this hundreds of times so I’m pretty sure I got it… that said, even the first time I got it. Key is that slow and steady wins the race.

@@RobertBlanchardall pressure testing is not done with the movement outside. I have a pressure tester and if it show bubbles you just take it out and no water get inside, the movement is not at risk. Great channel by the way, I am not trying to invalidate you or anything, just sharing my experience and paranoia.

@@mttqll8623 no worries, let me clarify, all pressure testing I have seen😁😉

Hello! Watchmaker here, where are you getting this information?

@@WildCountryLeather which information?

The original is a perfect design save for the fact that the crown was its weak point. For me the size reduction is welcomed design move to fit in todays environments. That said I have worn both and the original is 100% a tool with a purpose but nothing else. The new Willard design allows it to be a chameleon lending itself to being a tool yet have the ability to pass when wearing a suit. That said I have recently modded my Willard with the ‘thin case back’ from namoki mods. And now it wears (comfort wise) much more like the original. And it also drops the overall thickness down below 13 mm. It’s a game changer. Check out my last video on the thin caseback. She is now ‘rated’ at 150M instead of 200M but since I have never dove below 90 feet I’m not worried. Worth every penny to do this mod.